Top Management Challenges in Using Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Development Goals: An Exploratory Case Study of an Australian Agribusiness

Amanda Balasooriya and Darshana Sedera ()
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Amanda Balasooriya: Faculty of Business, Law and Arts, Southern Cross University, Bilinga, QLD 4225, Australia
Darshana Sedera: Faculty of Business, Law and Arts, Southern Cross University, Bilinga, QLD 4225, Australia

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 15, 1-19

Abstract: The integration of artificial intelligence into sustainable agriculture holds significant potential to transform traditional agricultural practices. This transformation of agricultural practices through AI directly intersects with several critical sustainable development goals, such as Climate Action (SDG13), Life Below Water (SDG 14), and Life on Land (SDG 15). However, such implementations are fraught with multifaceted challenges. This study explores the technological, organizational, and environmental challenges confronting top management in the agricultural sector utilizing the technological–organizational–environmental framework. As interest in AI-enabled sustainable initiatives continues to rise globally, this exploration is timely and relevant. The study employs an interpretive case study approach, drawing insights from a carbon sequestration project within the agricultural sector where AI technologies have been integrated to support sustainability goals. The findings reveal six key challenges: sustainable policy inconsistency, AI experts lacking farming knowledge, farmers’ resistance to change, limited knowledge and expertise to deploy AI, missing links in the existing system, and transition costs, which often hinder the achievement of long-term sustainability outcomes. This study emphasizes the importance of field realities and cross-disciplinary collaboration to optimize the role of AI in sustainability efforts.

Keywords: sustainable development goals; artificial intelligence; smart farming; agriculture; top management challenges (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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